Cucullanus carettae Baylis, 1923, in a loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) from the Adriatic sea: first detection and molecular characterization.

Cucullanus carettae Baylis, 1923 (Nematoda: Cucullanidae) is found worldwide in loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta). Regarding the Mediterranean, C. carettae has been identified in the Tyrrhenian and the Ionian Sea and a unique description of a Cucullanus sp. specimen in loggerheads from the Adriatic Sea has been reported in the literature so far. In the framework of a bio-monitoring project of the Abruzzo and Molise coasts, a parasitological survey was performed on stranded and by-caught sea turtles, at the Istituto Zooprofilattico of Abruzzo and Molise "G. Caporale." During necropsy, the gastrointestinal system of 72 stranded loggerhead turtles was analyzed for the presence of endoparasites and fecal samples were collected for coprological examination. Adult C. carettae (n = 123) was found in the upper intestine of one loggerhead turtle, associated with chronic lymphoplasmocytic enteritis. Additionally, five stool samples (6.9%) were positive for Cucullanus sp. eggs. Molecular characterization of adult nematodes was carried out to study phylogenetic relationships among the Cucullanus species. To our knowledge, this is the first morphological and molecular identification of C. carettae in loggerhead turtles from the Adriatic Sea. Additional studies on the distribution of this parasite in the Mediterranean are encouraged.

Candidate gene molecular markers as tools for analyzing genetic susceptibility to morbillivirus infection in stranded Cetaceans.

Morbilliviruses, such as Cetacean morbillivirus (CeMV) or Phocine distemper virus (PDV), represent a growing threat for marine mammals on both hemispheres. Because free-ranging animal populations strongly rely on natural resistance mechanisms, innate immunity-related genes and virus cell entry receptor genes may represent key factors involved in susceptibility to CeMV in Cetaceans. Using the next generation sequencing technology, we have sequenced 11 candidate genes in two model species, Stenella coeruleoalba and Phocoena phocoena. Suitable single nucleotide polymorphism markers of potential functional importance, located in genes coding for basigin (BSG, CD147), the signaling lymphocyte activating molecule (SLAMF1), the poliovirus-related receptor-4 (NECTIN4, PVRL4), toll-like receptors 3, 7, 8 (TLR3, TLR7, TLR8), natural resistance-associated macrophage protein (SLC11A1) and natural cytotoxicity triggering receptor 1 (NCR1), were identified in each model species, along with MHC-DQB haplotypes unique for each species. This set of molecular markers represents a potentially useful tool for studying host genetic variation and susceptibility to morbillivirus infection in Cetaceans as well as for studying functionally important genetic diversity of selected Cetacean populations.

Experimental infection of rock pigeons (Columba livia) with three West Nile virus lineage 1 strains isolated in Italy between 2009 and 2012.

West Nile virus (WNV) circulation dynamics in the context of the urban environment is not yet elucidated. In this perspective, three groups of eight rock pigeons (Columbia livia) were inoculated with three WNV lineage 1 strains isolated in Italy between 2009 and 2012. The pigeons did not develop any clinical signs consistent with WNV acute infection. All animals seroconverted and shed virus up to 15 days post-infection by the oral or cloacal routes. In all infected groups viraemia lasted for 4 days post-infection. No WNV-specific gross or histological lesions were found in infected birds compared to control birds and immunohistochemistry remained constantly negative from all tissues. The reservoir competence index was also assessed and it ranged between 0·11 and 0·14. This study demonstrates that pigeons are competent reservoir hosts for Italian WNV lineage 1 circulating strains thus potentially posing a risk to the public health system.

West Nile virus lineage 2 in Sardinian wild birds in 2012: a further threat to public health.

West Nile virus (WNV) strains belonging to lineage 2 were detected and isolated from the tissues of a goshawk and two carrion crows in Sardinia in August 2012. According to NS3 sequence analysis, the Sardinian isolates shared a high level of similarity with those of Italian lineage 2 strains which circulated in 2011 and with the homologous sequence of the 2004 Hungarian isolate. Following the human fatality reported in 2011 in Olbia, this study is the first to report the spread and enzootic circulation of WNV lineage 2 in Sardinia.

EEG frontal asymmetry related to pleasantness of music perception in healthy children and cochlear implanted users.

Interestingly, the international debate about the quality of music fruition for cochlear implanted users does not take into account the hypothesis that bilateral users could perceive music in a more pleasant way with respect to monolateral users. In this scenario, the aim of the present study was to investigate if cerebral signs of pleasantness during music perception in healthy child are similar to those observed in monolateral and in bilateral cochlear implanted users. In fact, previous observations in literature on healthy subjects have indicated that variations of the frontal EEG alpha activity are correlated with the perceived pleasantness of the sensory stimulation received (approach-withdrawal theory). In particular, here we described differences between cortical activities estimated in the alpha frequency band for a healthy child and in patients having a monolateral or a bilateral cochlear implant during the fruition of a musical cartoon. The results of the present analysis showed that the alpha EEG asymmetry patterns observed in a healthy child and that of a bilateral cochlear implanted patient are congruent with the approach-withdrawal theory. Conversely, the scalp topographic distribution of EEG power spectra in the alpha band resulting from the monolateral cochlear user presents a different EEG pattern from the normal and bilateral implanted patients. Such differences could be explained at the light of the approach-withdrawal theory. In fact, the present findings support the hypothesis that a monolateral cochlear implanted user could perceive the music in a less pleasant way when compared to a healthy subject or to a bilateral cochlear user.

Experimental infection of goats with an unusual strain of Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. capri isolated in Jordan.

Goats were infected experimentally with a mycoplasma (the "Irbid" strain) isolated previously from a goat with contagious agalactia in northern Jordan. The strain was unusual in that, although it had been identified by molecular methods as Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides LC/Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. capri, it showed no inhibition of growth by any of the hyperimmune rabbit antisera conventionally used to speciate members of the Mycoplasma mycoides cluster. Animals were infected either intratracheally or by aerosol and placed "in-contact" with other goats. After 2 weeks, those infected intratracheally became febrile, showing a nasal discharge and slight conjunctivitis, followed a week later by respiratory distress and polyarthritis; lesions seen at necropsy included coagulative necrotic pneumonia, fibrinous pleurisy with pleural exudate, and inflammatory exudates, necrosis and fibrosis in the joints. Animals infected by aerosol showed much milder clinical signs, including nasal discharge and occasional swollen joints. In the "in-contact" goats, seroconversion was first seen after 7 weeks, accompanied by coughing and laboured respiration; lesions in this group consisted of fibrinous pneumonia with focal areas of necrosis and abundant pleural exudate.

Neosporosis in water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) in Southern Italy.

A study was carried on 1377 water buffalo serum samples from 50 farms in southern Italy to test the presence of Neospora caninum antibodies by indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT). Rabbit anti-buffalo immunoglobulins conjugated to fluorescein were used in the test. Fluorescence in sera dilutions above 1:200 was considered as indicative of the presence of N. caninum antibodies. The overall prevalence of infection in the animals was 34.6%. The prevalence increased in relation to the age of subjects and most of the herds examined (82%) were found infected. In two farms abortions and neurological signs were reported. No suppurative inflammatory lesions were seen, but few protozoan-like cysts were observed on foetal tissues by histology.

Detection of Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies mycoides in tissues from an outbreak of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia by culture, immunohistochemistry and polymerase chain reaction.

Postmortem observations of 37 cattle from an outbreak of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP) in north Italy in 1993 were made at the abattoir, where samples of lung and tracheobronchial lymph node tissues were taken for culture and identification of Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies mycoides (MmmSC), immunohistochemistry with the peroxidase anti-peroxidase (PAP) system, and molecular detection by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of specific DNA from MmmSC. Nasal swabs were also taken for testing by PCR Lung pathology typical of CBPP was observed in 38 per cent of the animals, and MmmSC was isolated from 19 per cent DNA of MmmSC was detected by PCR in 64 per cent of lung samples and 35 per cent of the nasal swabs. Staining of lung tissue and lymph node tissue by PAP was positive in 27 per cent and 30 per cent of cases, respectively, and was a useful back-up test. These results suggest that PCR amplification from lung tissue may be used as a rapid and accurate confirmatory test for cases with pathology resembling CBPP.

Daily hunger sensation and body composition: I. Their relationships in clinically healthy subjects.

The human hunger sensation (HS) is a perceptive signal characterized by day-night variability (DNV). This pattern was investigated with respect to its relations with the body compartments in 22 clinically healthy subjects (CHS, 11 males and 11 females, mean age: 24 +/- 2.5 years, mean BMI: 21 +/- 1.7). The DNV was investigated by means of conventional descriptive statistics and the single cosinor method (SCM). Both procedures were applied to the orexigram, i.e., the 24-h profile of the orectic stimulus (OS) provided by each subject, who self-rated his/her HS (from 1 to 10 hunger units) every half hour. Body composition was investigated by Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) on the day when the orexigrams were compiled. It was found that the daily HS level correlates positively with the Free Fat Body Mass (FFBM) and negatively with the Fat Body Mass (FBM). These opposite relations indicate that HS is stimulated by the needs of the FFBM, and inhibited by expansion of the FBM, and provide further evidence of the existence of an "adipostat" anorectic mechanism.

Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor 2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(3-trimethylsilylphenyl) ethanone in dog. Potential for transdermal patch delivery.

MDL 73,745 (2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(3-trimethylsilylphenyl) ethanone, CAS 132236(18-1) is a novel tight-binding inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), which is in development as a potential therapeutic compound in the symptomatic treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the compound were studied in the dog after single intravenous (i.v. 2 mg/kg), oral p.o. 10 mg/kg) and sub-cutaneous (s.c., 10 mg/kg) administrations of [14C]-MDL 73,745. Plasma concentrations of total radioactivity were much higher than those of parent drug after i.v., p.o. and s.c. administration, indicating extensive metabolism of the compound, although this was less after, s.c. administration than after p.o. administration. The bioavailability (F) was 34% after s.c. administration, compared with 4% after p.o. administration. The low bioavailability after p.o. administration was not due to poor drug absorption, as over 64% of the dose was absorbed. Pharmacokinetic parameters, calculated after i.v. administration, showed a terminal elimination half-life of 24 h, total body plasma clearance of around 70 ml/min/kg and apparent volume of distribution of 150 l/kg. AChE activity was almost 100% inhibited after i.v. administration, and over 80% inhibited 1 h after p.o. administration. In both cases, AChE activity returned to baseline levels by 12 h. AChE was around 80% inhibited 4 h after s.c. administration, and did not return to baseline levels until 36 h after drug administration. A combined pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) effect model demonstrated that the extent of AChE inhibition could be correlated with plasma levels of the parent compound. As s.c. administration increased F, and led to longer AChE inhibition, transdermal (t.d.) delivery was assessed in the same animals. Patches, corresponding to a dose of 50 mg/kg, were applied to the shaved lateral abdominal skin for a period of 96 h. Sustained plasma concentrations of the parent drug were observed over the 96 h period of t.d. application. Mean (+/- SD) maximum plasma concentrations (Cmax) of 26.9 +/- 4.3 ng/ml were found 3.7 +/- 2.5 h after t.d. patch application und F was around 13%. AChE inhibition reached a maximum of 72% at 6 h after t.d. application and was still 35% at 96 h. The rate of release from the delivery system, per unit surface area, (ko) was calculated to be 7.7 micrograms/cm2. Transdermal delivery of MDL 73,745 thus decreased the important hepatic first-pass effect, and led to sustained plasma concentrations of drug, thus avoiding peaks and troughs which could lead to side-effects or poor efficacy.

Are the cardiovascular effects and '5-HT syndrome' induced by MDL 73,975 and flesinoxan in the dog mediated by 5-HT1A receptors?

The cardiovascular effects of the 5-HT1A receptor agonists MDL 73,975 (8-[2-(2,3-dihydro-8-methoxy-1,4-benzodoxin-2-yl)methylaminol++ +]-ethyl]-8- azaspiro[4,5]decane-7,9-dione hydrochloride) and flesinoxan (10-300 micrograms/kg subcutaneously, s.c.), the 5-HT1A receptor antagonist NAN 190 (2-[4-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl]butyl]-1H-isoindole-1,3(2H)- dione,1,2-ethanedioate), and the alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonist prazosin have been investigated in conscious normotensive and renal hypertensive dogs. In normotensive dogs the increases in heart rate and respiratory rate induced by both agonists were dose-related, as were the decreases in systolic and diastolic blood pressure induced by MDL 73,975. Both compounds caused a dose-related increase in the intensity of the '5-HT syndrome'. After pretreatment with NAN 190 (100 micrograms/kg s.c.) the increases in heart rate, respiratory rate and symptoms of the '5-HT syndrome' were significantly reduced but the decreases in systolic and diastolic pressure were additive. Pretreatment with prazosin (100 micrograms/kg s.c.) antagonized the '5-HT syndrome' and the increase in respiratory rate. Similar responses were evident in renal hypertensive dogs. Tolerance did not develop to the increases in heart rate, respiratory rate and manifestations of the '5-HT syndrome' in normotensive dogs during 5 days of treatment with MDL 73,975 or flesinoxan. In conclusion, MDL 73,975 and flesinoxan induced a 5-HT1A receptor-mediated fall in blood pressure but the changes in heart rate, respiratory rate and the '5-HT syndrome' are probably mediated by alpha 1-adrenoceptors.

[Psychological adaptation to hysterectomy. Experience with 40 patients]. / Superamento psicologico dell'isterectomia. Esperienza condotta su 40 pazienti.

To assess how hysterectomy was psychologically overcome we refer to the results obtained from a questionnaire given to 40 patients. The questionnaire was divided into 3 parts: one statistic-epidemiologic, one to evaluate the patients' level of information, and a third aimed at studying post-operative psychological and sexual adaptability.

[The psychological reaction to hysterectomy: initial results]. / Indagine sulla reazione psicologica all'isterectomia: primi risultati.

Twenty patients who had undergone hysterectomy were given a questionnaire consisting of three parts, the first statistical and epidemiological, the second aimed at assessing the extent to which the patient was informed about her condition and a third part designed to provide data on postoperative adaptation. The good results obtained are discussed and interpreted.

The cardiovascular effects of centrally administered taurine in anaesthetised and conscious rats.

The effects of pentobarbitone anaesthesia on the cardiovascular changes induced by centrally administered taurine have been investigated in spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) and normotensive rats. Administration of taurine (100-400 micrograms) into the lateral cerebral ventricle (i.c.v.) of anaesthetised SHR and normotensive rats induced a dose-related fall in systemic blood pressure and heart rate, which tended to be of a greater magnitude in the SHR. In anaesthetised rats attached to a ventilator, taurine was not as potent at inducing a fall in systemic blood pressure, approximately double the dose being required to produce the same cardiovascular changes as that which occurred in anaesthetised rats without a ventilator. In conscious normotensive rats taurine had no effect on blood pressure until a dose of 800 micrograms was administered i.c.v., whereas in conscious SHR, a small, but significant depressor response was evident with 400 micrograms. These findings demonstrate that pentobarbitone anaesthesia sensitises the rats to the cardiovascular effects of taurine, partially through a mechanism which involves respiratory depression. Conversely in conscious rats a much higher dose of taurine is required to induce a fall in arterial pressure and heart rate per se.

Patterns of activity of perioral facial muscles during mastication in man.

The activity of buccinator, orbicularis oris superior and inferior, quadratus and triangularis muscles was recorded by surface and needle electrodes during spontaneous unilateral mastication of small or large boluses. Their activity was compared with that of the masticatory muscles masseter and digastric, and with the vertical movement of the jaw. The facial muscles were active during mastication, displaying both tonic and phasic activity. Although the cyclic activity was broadly linked to lowering of the jaw, there was no strict time correspondence between the activity of the various facial muscles themselves, or between the activity of the facial muscles and the digastric. The timing and amplitude of facial muscle activity were affected by the duration of the masticatory cycle, the side on which chewing took place, the size of the bolus, and whether or not lip to lip contact was made.

[Radiologic examination of the paranasal sinuses in asthmatic children]. / L'esame radiologico dei seni paranasali nel bambino asmatico.

We examined the prevalence of abnormalities found by sinus X-Rays in 80 asthmatic children classified into three groups in relation to severity of their symptoms. All the children underwent skin tests and some of them methacholine challenge. 63.7% of asthmatics showed abnormalities in sinus X-Rays. No correlation was found between the severity of asthma, radiographic findings, and atopic status. Bronchial hyperreactivity studied using metacholine challenge according to the method of Chai was the same both in patients with asthma and sinusitis and in those with asthma only. In conclusion, abnormal sinus X-Rays do not seem to be an aggravating factor in asthmatic status.

Comparison between the cardiovascular effects of 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino) tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) and clonidine in the conscious sino-aortic denervated rat.

1. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of an intact baroreceptor reflex mechanism in the expression of the cardiovascular response to 8-OH-DPAT and to determine whether there are any differences between the activation of central alpha 2-adrenoreceptors and 5-HT1A receptors in this respect. To this end, the effects of 8-OH-DPAT and clonidine have been assessed on blood pressure, heart rate, ECG and cardiac contractility indices in conscious sino-aortic baroreceptor denervated (SAD) rats and their sham-operated controls. 2. In both sham-operated and SAD rats, intravenous (i.v.) administration of 8-OH-DPAT (32 micrograms kg-1) and clonidine (8 micrograms kg-1) produced falls in systemic blood pressure, left ventricular systolic pressure and dP/dtmax. 3. 8-OH-DPAT produced similar bradycardia in each group of rats; in contrast, clonidine had a greater effect in the SAD animals. Increases of the PQ interval mirrored the heart-rate changes with both compounds. 4. No significant changes in end diastolic blood pressure or in the myocardial contractility indices dP/dtmax/P and Vmax were evident. 5. This study provides support for the view that i.v. 8-OH-DPAT lowers blood pressure and heart rate through a central mechanism. The effects occur independently of an intact baroreceptor reflex and are not associated with effects on myocardial contractility. 8-OH-DPAT shows close qualitative similarities to clonidine in this model.

Antihypertensive effects of 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) in conscious dogs.

Low doses of 8-OH-DPAT (10 and 25 micrograms/kg) administered subcutaneously (s.c.) to renal hypertensive mongrel dogs caused decreases in systolic blood pressure which persisted for 3 h. Mild salivation and hyperventilation were observed with both doses. A short-lasting (less than 60 min) depressor response was seen with 100 micrograms/kg s.c. Prominent hyperventilation and salivation accompanied this response. A still higher dose (250 micrograms/kg s.c.) induced tremor, signs of anxiety and occasional vomiting in addition to the hyperventilation and salivation. Paradoxically, no cardiovascular activity was noted at this dose.